Patent GB-1393648-A (GB)
Title: Machines and methods for running pairs of gears together
IPC: B23F19/02
Filed: 1973-05-09
Abstract: 1393648 Lapping gears GLEASON WORKS 9 May 1973 [26 June 1972] 22100/73 Heading B3D [Also in Division F2] A machine for running a pair of gears 12, 24, Fig. 1, in meshing engagement comprises a drive train having a first spindle means 10 for mounting a first gear 12 for rotation and operatively connected to a driving motor 14 which transmits a driving moment to the first spindle means, a second spindle means for mounting a second gear 24 in meshing engagement with the first gear and operatively connected to a braking means 28 which applies a braking moment to the second spindle means during a gear treating operation, and energyabsorbing means for reducing or eliminating unwanted periodic changes in driving moments between the first and second gears during running engagement of the gears. The invention permits lapping to be effected at speeds of 2400 to 2800 r.p.m. The driving motor 14 is connected by a belt drive 18 to the first spindle means 10, and the second spindle means is located in a housing 23 and is connected by a belt drive 30 to the braking motor 28. The energy-absorbing means is inserted at one or more points between the driven gear 24 and braking motor 28 and in one embodiment consists in a modification of the arbor 26. The arbor has first and second sections 40, 42, Fig. 2, the first section consisting of a backing ring 46 secured to a sleeve 50 carried by a centreing unit 52 having a rod 53 for actuating an expander unit 54 for gripping the gear 24. The second section is secured to a spindle section 55 rotatable in the housing and connected at its other end to the braking motor. Pins 60, Fig. 4, extend from the first section 40 and are engaged by the plungers 64 of springs 44 located in the second section 42, the pins being 180 degrees apart and the springs being arranged to absorb small increases or decreases in the driving moment between the gears. Bolts 66 adjust the tension of the springs and stop pins 68 on the second section normally maintain the plungers 64 out of contact with the pins 60. In another embodiment, an elastomeric coupling 74, Fig. 7, is disposed in the second spindle means and has finger portions 76 engaging recesses 78 to limit the degree of angular movement between the parts of the coupling. The chuck for holding the gear is actuated by a rod connected to an hydraulically-operated piston in a cylinder on the gear side of the coupling whereby actuation of the piston does not affect the elastomeric material of the coupling. In a further embodiment, the pulley between the braking motor and second spindle is formed of a split assembly having a housing element 100, Fig. 8, placed over a housing element 102 by insertion of a sleeve portion 104 into a bearing ring 106 in the element 100. A thrust bearing 108 engages faces of the housing element 102 and the ring 106. A pulley sleeve 110 is press fixed over the surface of the cylindrical bearing carried by the ring 106. A pair of energy absorbing devices 114 are mounted on the element 100 and consists of cylinders which engage screw-threaded bores 120 in the element and house springs 116 which urge plungers 118 against fixed dowels 122 on the element 102. Each cylinder 114 can be rotated to adjust the compression of the springs. Further modifications may be made to the described embodiment by reducing the inertia of the system by reducing the mass by using a smaller diameter spindle assembly or by using light weight material, such as aluminium.